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Help Students DEFEAT the Bully through Grit in the Classroom!
India White • June 7, 2023
Help Students DEFEAT the Bully through Grit in the Classroom!
Helping Students DEFEAT the Bully through Grit in the Classroom!
Bullying has become a pervasive problem in schools and can have long-lasting effects on the mental health and well-being of students. NAMI reports that I in 6 students suffer from a mental illness,
and that bullying can cause depression. Further, rates of suicide among youth have increased since the effects of research. Despite these facts, there is still hope for students overcoming bullying through grit. Research has shown that developing a growth mindset and grit can help students overcome bullying and build resilience. In this blog, we will explore some tips to help students overcome bullying through growth mindset and grit.
Here are some tips to help students deal with being bullied in school:
Tip #1: Develop a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. Students with a growth mindset
are more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks, including bullying. According to Dweck (2006), students with a growth mindset are more likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than as threats to their self-esteem.
To develop a growth mindset, students can:
a. Focus on their strengths:
Encourage students to focus on their strengths and to view bullying as an opportunity to develop resilience and grit. According to Duckworth et al. (2007), focusing on one's strengths can help build self-esteem and confidence, which are important for overcoming bullying.
b. Embrace challenges: Encourage students to embrace challenges and to view them as opportunities for growth and learning. According to Yeager et al. (2019), students who embrace challenges are more likely to develop a growth mindset and to persevere through difficult situations.
c. Be Merciful: Encourage students to practice having mercy and compassion towards themselves while remaining kind to themselves, especially facing difficult situations. According to Neff (2017), self-compassion can help students build resilience and cope with stress and adversity.
Tip #2: Build Grit
Grit is the ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks, even when they are difficult or uncomfortable. Students with grit are more likely to overcome bullying and to build resilience. According to Duckworth et al. (2007), grit is a better predictor of success than intelligence or talent.
To build grit, students can set goals for dealing with the bully. Encourage your students to set realistic goals for themselves, such as improving their grades or developing a new skill. By working towards these goals, students can get off the distraction from the bully and remain focused on why they are in school. This will change a student’s mood and allow them to remain connected to those that support them.
Tip #3: Listen and validate
It's important to listen to the students and validate their feelings. Let them know that what they are experiencing is not okay and that they are not alone. Further, let them know that you are there to support them, and that you will do what you can to resolve the issue with the proper support and follow up with school guidance counselors, school psychologists, administrators and more.
Tip # 4: Encourage reporting
Encourage the student to report the bullying to a teacher, counselor, or other trusted adult. Make sure they know that reporting is not tattling and that it's important to speak up to stop the bullying. Remind students to remain specific regarding how long they’ve endured the bullying for and how it has impacted their ability to thrive as a learner. Make sure parents are following up with leaders on campus and with their parents.
Tip # 5: Develop a safety plan
Work with the student to develop a safety plan that includes strategies for avoiding bullying, staying with friends, and seeking help when needed. Change the trajectory of the students navigation on campus, and even change their schedule if needed. Safety is first for learners, and every learner has the right to an educational experience that is free from harm and bullying.
Tip # 6: Teach coping skills
Teach the student coping skills such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, and visualization. These skills can help them manage their emotions and stay calm in the face of bullying.
Remind students not to take the mental, emotional or physical or cyber bullying personally. Show your students how you validate and accept them, and how they are an asset in your classroom.
Tip # 7: Involve parents
Involve the student's parents in the process and keep them informed of what's happening. They can provide additional support and help the student feel safe and protected. Continue to advocate for the child with their parents or guardians and put together a plan
that will help the child cope with the effects of bullying while transitioning into safety from all bullying.
Tip # 8: Provide resources
Provide the student with resources such as books, websites, or support groups that can help them cope with bullying and build resilience.
Find time for your students to check in to discuss these resources and how it’s helped them build strength and confidence while around the bully, and how it has helped them gain a positive image again.
Tip # 9: Follow up
Check in with the student regularly to see how they are doing and if the bullying has stopped. If it hasn't, continue to work with them and involve other adults
as needed to ensure their safety and well-being. Continue to praise and commend to progress and efforts being made by the students as they overcome their bully through a grit mindset. Remind them of positive grit statements and phrases that will get them through tough emotional points during the day, and help them reframe any negative thinking with growth mindset statements. Let them know that you are proud of them and celebrate their success in a tangible way.
Conclusion
No child deserves to come to school to endure bullying no matter their differences or background. However, with your support as their leader, there is hope at the end of the tunnel. As you implement these tips for your students to help them overcome their bully through grit and a growth mindset, you will contribute to a positive culture on your campus that is free from bullying. May your classroom and your school remain a place conducive for learning, and may you be the teacher or leader that students can trust will navigate them through tough times they may endure through bullying.
Join us on the Let's Get Gritty Podcast with Dr. India White. On this show, we will repeat a show from the Grit and Equity talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we walk through the recently released NAEP data from the National Report Card and speak about moving the needle forward. Listen on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/india-white3 #grit #equity #naep #drindiawhite #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #math #teachers #students
🌟 Just wrapped up an incredible G.R.I.T. Training session with the amazing leaders from Imagine Schools! 💪✨ We took a deep dive into the G.R.I.T. framework, and I can't wait to see the results unfold! 🚀🙌 #drindiawhite #grit #imagineschools #tedx #nctm #ncsm #bwxme 🎉 (I don’t own music copyright
Check out my Feb. 2025 Newsletter!
Thankful for Partnership and Recognition: A Shoutout to Dr. Matthew Joseph and X-Factor EDU Network I am incredibly thankful to partner with Dr. Matthew Joseph and the amazing leadership of the X-Factor EDU Network! It is truly an honor to collaborate with such a visionary leader who is dedicated to amplifying voices in education and creating spaces for impactful conversations. This month, I was deeply grateful to be mentioned in Dr. Joseph’s newsletter during Black History Month. His recognition means so much, not just for me, but for the work we are all doing to inspire and empower educators and students alike. You can check out the newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drmxj_stongertogether-activity-7291502796753809408-0zX3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAmqD2wBkz8Qc7EA0bvwxWyMJH2HykCUA-Y But beyond the shoutout, I’m even more excited about the opportunities ahead—including the chance to have a podcast on Dr. Joseph’s platform! Partnering with X-Factor EDU Network opens doors to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and continue championing grit, resilience, and equity in education. Thank you, Dr. Matthew Joseph, for your support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Looking forward to what’s to come! 🚀 #StrongerTogether #GRIT #XFactorEDU #BlackHistoryMonth #EducationalLeadership #Thankful
Fired Up for FDLA/FAMTE Keynote: Let’s Build Grit Together! I’m beyond excited to take the stage as the keynote speaker at the FDLA/FAMTE Conference tomorrow! 🎤🔥 We’ll be diving deep into the power of G.R.I.T.—Great Resilience in Time—and how it transforms both educators and students. This opportunity means so much, and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported this journey. Grit isn’t just a concept; it’s a movement. It’s about growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management, and it’s what drives success in the classroom and beyond. Let’s empower educators and students across the nation to push past obstacles and embrace productive struggle. Who’s ready to get gritty? 💪🏾 #Grit #DrIndiaWhite #TEDx #FDLA #FAMTE #Education #GrowthMindset
Had an Amazing Time at the Imagine Summit! I had a fantastic time speaking at the Imagine Summit on G.R.I.T.! 🙌🏽 We engaged in powerful breakout sessions, had meaningful discussions about NAEP data, and explored strategies to build **growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management** in education. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought such great energy to the conversations! Let’s continue working together to bridge gaps and empower students through grit and perseverance. 💪🏽 #GRIT #ImagineSummit #Resilience #Education #GrowthMindset #EquityInEducation #drindiawhite
Building Grit in Teachers at the Imagine Leadership Summit I am beyond excited to be speaking at the Imagine Leadership Summit today, sharing insights on how we can build grit in teachers and empower them to foster resilience, self-efficacy, and growth in their students. 🌟 This summit is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with principals and education leaders who are committed to supporting and strengthening teachers. When we invest in teacher grit, we build stronger, more effective classrooms where students develop the perseverance to tackle challenges and achieve success. A huge thank you to the Imagine Summit leaders for this amazing opportunity! It’s an honor to be among such an outstanding lineup of speakers, including the incredible Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr. Join our sessions today and take GRIT with you—because when teachers grow in resilience, our students thrive! #GRIT #Teachers #Principals #DrIndiaWhite #NCTM #NCSM #ImagineSummit 😊
🌟 What an incredible time at the ICTM conference in Indiana! The lineup was amazing, and the energy was contagious! 🎉 Since I missed the snow back in Florida, I embraced it fully here and made my very first snow angel! ❄️ So grateful for the fun and gritty spirit of the ICTM rockstars! Huge thanks to Angela and every rockstar for this fantastic opportunity! 💙 #drindiawhite #grit #ictm25 #math #teachers #students #indiana #nctm #ncsm
✨ Today’s Grit training at Stockton Unified was absolutely amazing! We had a fantastic time connecting with friends and meeting some incredible rockstars in California. 🌟 I can’t wait to see how gritty Stockton becomes! Huge thanks to Andrew and the tribe for the opportunity to train your amazing leaders. Let’s all take grit with us as we move forward! 💪 #Grit #Leadership #StocktonUnified #drindiawhite #tedx #nctm #ncsm #nabse
🎊Super excited about this opportunity! Looking forward to connecting with these amazing leaders! 🥰🥳🎉 Please register below and let’s connect so we can bridge the achievement gap together! hashtag#drindiawhite hashtag#ncsm hashtag#grit hashtag#math hashtag#teachers